XML Scripting of SOAP Commands

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method processes a simple object access protocol (SOAP) command. The method includes interpreting an XML script to perform a function contained in the XML script, the XML script containing the SOAP command, parsing the SOAP command from the XML script, and passing the SOAP command to a SOAP interpreter for execution.

TECHICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to scripting simple object accessprotocol (SOAP) commands using extensible markup language (XML) and toproviding the resulting XML script to a device for execution.

BACKGROUND

An apparatus may contain an embedded controller or agent software tomonitor and control its operation. Any type of apparatus may have anembedded controller or agent including, but not limited to, homeappliances, office equipment, medical devices, and industrial tools.Other examples include robots, blood analyzers, multifunction copiers,and air conditioners.

Embedded devices are often connected to an internal network, such as alocal area network (LAN), with an interface to the Internet. Otherdevices on the internet network may communicate with an embedded deviceover the internet network. However, the embedded device is not generallyaddressable from the Internet. To address this problem, the embeddeddevice may initiate communications with an addressable external device.That is, the embedded device may access the external device (e.g., aserver) periodically to obtain necessary data.

SOAP is a standard for encoding function calls, such as remote procedurecalls (RPCs), in XML. SOAP defines rules, i.e., a syntax, for encodingthe function calls in XML. The body of a SOAP command is defined, at itsstart, by <SOAP-ENV:BODY> and, at its end, by </SOAP-ENV:BODY>. Code inbetween these two commands includes the function to be performed by theSOAP command. A SOAP command may include other data as well, such asheader information.

SUMMARY

Heretofore, SOAP commands were only available as individual, discretecommands. This is impractical for device-initiated communication,particularly if the device is unaware of any timing issues relating toexecution of the SOAP commands. The invention therefore scripts one ormore SOAP commands in XML and provides the XML script to a device, suchas an embedded controller, for execution. The XML script is executed bythe embedded controller, much like a computer program, to controlexecution of the SOAP commands. For example, timing and sequence ofexecution of the SOAP commands may be specified in the XML script.

The invention also defines variables in the XML script, which may bepassed to and from the SOAP commands. This facilitates the combinationof SOAP commands in XML script and provides an advantage over the use oftraditional SOAP commands, which are limited to passing “hard-coded”numerical values (i.e., non-variables).

In general, in one aspect, the invention is directed to acomputer-implemented system for processing a simple object accessprotocol (SOAP) command. The system includes interpreting an XML scriptto perform a function contained in the XML script, the XML scriptcontaining the SOAP command, parsing the SOAP command from the XMLscript, and passing the SOAP command to a SOAP interpreter forexecution. This aspect of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing features.

Plural SOAP commands may be contained in the XML script. The plural SOAPcommands may be passed to the SOAP interpreter. The plural SOAP commandsmay be executed in a sequence specified by the XML script. At least oneof an argument and a return value may be received from the SOAP commandfollowing execution of the SOAP command. The argument may be stored as avariable in the XML script.

The XML script may declare a variable. A value of the variable may bepassed as an argument to the SOAP command prior to executing the SOAPcommand. The function may be a conditional statement. The conditionalstatement may be an If-Then statement or an If-Then-Else statement. Thefunction may be a control statement that affects a sequence of executionof the XML script and/or the SOAP command. The control statement may bea loop. The function may be an exception handler that affects a sequenceof execution of the XML script and/or the SOAP command when an errorcondition exists. The function may be a statement that controls relativeor absolute time to execute the SOAP command. Parsing may be performedby an XML interpreter and executing may be performed by the SOAPinterpreter. The XML interpreter may pass the SOAP command to the SOAPinterpreter and the SOAP interpreter may pass an output of the SOAPcommand to the XML interpreter.

In general, in another aspect, the invention is directed to acomputer-implemented system for generating extensible markup language(XML) script that contains a simple object access protocol (SOAP)command. The system includes receiving code that defines a function andthe SOAP command and translating the code to XML script that performsthe function and contains the SOAP command. This aspect of the inventionmay include one or more of the following features.

The XML script may be provided to a device. The device may include acontroller that executes the XML script. The code may contain pluralSOAP commands and functions. The XML script may contain the plural SOAPcommands and functions. The XML script may declare a variable. A valueof the variable value may be passed as an argument to the SOAP commandin the XML script.

The function may be a conditional statement. The conditional statementmay be an If-Then statement or an If-Then-Else statement. The functionmay be a control statement that affects a sequence of execution of theXML script and/or the SOAP command. The control statement may be a loop.The function may be an exception handler that that affects a sequence ofexecution of the XML script and/or the SOAP command when an errorcondition exists. The function may be a statement that controls arelative or absolute time to execute the SOAP command.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, including the claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network containing a server and a devicehaving an embedded controller;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for translating human-readablecode into XML script;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process by which the embedded controllerretrieves XML script for the device from the server; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process by which the embedded controllerexecutes the XML script.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a network 10. Network 10 includes a device 11 containing anembedded controller 17. Device 11 is any type of apparatus or systemhaving functions that are monitored and controlled by embeddedcontroller 17.

Device 11 is connected to an internal network 12, such as a LAN. Arouter or modem 14 couples internal network 12 to an external network15, such as the Internet/World Wide Web (Web). External network 15 runsTCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) or some othersuitable protocol. Network connections are via Ethernet, telephone line,wireless, or other transmission media.

External network 15 contains a server 19, which is a computer or anyother processing device. Server 19 communicates with embedded controller17 over external network 15 and internal network 12. Embedded controller17 has a local IP (Internet Protocol) address that can be resolvedwithin internal network 12. However, this local IP address may not berecognizable by devices or external network 15, such as server 19. Assuch, server 19 may not be able to directly address device 11.

Embedded Controller

Embedded controller 17 runs software 20, which includes Web clientapplication 21 and operating software 22. Web client application 21includes a TCP/IP protocol stack that allows embedded controller 17 tocommunicate over external network 15. Device operating software 22provides an interface between Web client application 21 and a database24 in memory 25. Through device operating software 22, embeddedcontroller 17 retrieves data stored in database 24 and stores data indatabase 24.

Software 20 also includes an XML interpreter 23 and a SOAP interpreter26. XML interpreter 23 is a module that receives XML script, parses thescript, and performs the functions identified by the script. Asbackground, XML is a self-describing computer language, meaning thatfields in XML code identify variables and their values in the XML code.For example, a “data” field is delineated by “<data>” to indicate thestart of the field and “</data>” to indicate the end of the field. XMLis used because it can be generated, parsed and understood relativelyeasily.

Among the functions in the XML script may be an instruction to identifya SOAP command and to pass the SOAP command to SOAP interpreter 26 forprocessing. An example of another function includes a statement thatcontrols relative or absolute time to execute the SOAP command. SOAPenterpreter 26 receives SOAP commands from XML interpreter 23 andexecutes those commands. Examples of SOAP commands that can be executedby the embedded controller or agent include setting the value of avariable, uploading or downloading a file, restarting the software, orany action specific to the apparatus.

Database 24 stores data, such as operational parameters, XML script, andidentification information for the instance of device 11. What is meantby “instance” is the specific identity of device 11 as distinguishedfrom other identical devices. The identification information stored indatabase 24 identifies the instance of device 11. This identificationinformation may include data identifying the type of the device, acommon (or “friendly”) name for the device, the manufacturer of thedevice, the model name of the device, the model number of the device,the serial number of the device, or a universal unique identifier (UUID)for the device.

The device type is the name of the device. The common name of the deviceis how the device is known in the vernacular, e.g., “television”. Themanufacturer identifies the manufacturer of the device, e.g., Sony®. Themodel name identifies the particular model of the device, e.g., Wega®.The model number identifies the model number of the device, e.g.,XBR400®. The serial number identifies the serial number of a particularinstance of the device, e.g., 53266D. The UUID is a universal identifierfor the instance of the device, e.g.,4A89EA70-73B4-11d4-80DF-0050DAB7BAC5. Of the data shown above, generallyonly the serial number and the UUID are unique to the instance of device11.

The identification data stored in database 24 is used by embeddedcontroller 17 to retrieve XML script specific to the instance of device11 (or for a particular type of device 11) from server 19. Adevice-initiated process for retrieving the XML script is describedbelow.

Server

Server 19 is a computer that runs an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)Web server computer program. Server 19 includes a controller 27, such asa microprocessor, for executing software to perform the functionsdescribed below. To avoid confusion in terminology, the following readsas though those functions are performed by server 19, even thoughsoftware in controller 27 of server 19 performs the functions.

Server 19 executes Web server software 29 to communicate over externalnetwork 15. Web server software 29 also hosts a Web page associated withdevice 11. The Web page (not shown) is displayed on computer 33 of auser, such as the owner of device 11, who may select some actions to besent to the device. For example, a remote operator may want to updatethree operational variables, which requires three SOAP commands. Thesethree SOAP commands are wrapped in an XML script that executes thecommands as a single operation. The XML script, along with any inputupdated operational parameters (if desired) are transmitted to Webserver software 29 over external network 15. Web server software 29stores the XML script in database 30 of memory 31. An example of aprocess for updating operational parameters is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/667,737, filed Sep. 22, 2000, the contents ofwhich are incorporated into this application by reference as if setfourth herein in full.

Web server software 29 stores and retrieves SML script from database 30using application logic 32. Application logic 32 is software foraccessing database 30 using Java servlets and a JDBC (Java Data BaseConnectivity) database driver. The XML script can be stored in database30 individually or as part of a configuration file for an instance ofdevice 11.

Computer

Computer 33 is personal computer (PC) or other machine that includes aprocessor 36, a memory 37, and a storage medium 38 (see view 55).Storage medium 38 stores computer programs 39, which are executed byprocessor 36 out of memory 37. Computer programs 39 include a Web clientapplication 43 containing a TCP/IP protocol stack for communicating overthe Internet, a Web browser 44 such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer® foraccessing Web pages, an operating system (OS) 45 such as Microsoft®Windows98®, and executable instructions 45 for implementing process 50,which is shown in FIG. 2.

Process 50 generates XML script containing one or more SOAP commandsfrom user-generated code provided to computer 33. The code may be inputby the user via a graphical user interface (GUI) (not shown), forexample, or it may be retrieved from a storage medium or over network15.

The code has a syntax that can be understood and interpreted byinstructions 46. For example, the code may be a commonly-understoodcomputer language, such as BASIC or “C”, or a form of pseudo-codespecific to the invention. The code defines functions, such asconditional statements (e.g., If-Then or If-Then-Else statements),control statements (e.g., do While or do Until loops), or exceptionhandlers, meaning fail-safe mechanisms that are triggered in the code inthe event that an instruction in the code fails. The functions affectthe sequence of execution of the resulting XML code and/or SOAPcommands.

An example of user-generated C/C++ code is set forth below: int local =8; int total = 0; while ( total < 10 ) { total = SomeFunction(total);AnotherFunction(local); }This code initializes integer variables “local” and “total” to values of“8” and “0” respectively. The code includes a “While” loop, meaning thatthe loop between the brackets “{}” is continually executed while thevalue of total is less than “10”, whereafter processing within the loopis discontinued. Within the loop, the value of “total” is set equal tothe result of a SOAP command called “SomeFunction” processing theprevious value of “total” and another SOAP command called“AnotherFunction” processing “local”.

Process 50 receives (201) code, such as that shown above, that definesone or more functions (e.g., a “While” loop) and one or more SOAPcommands (e.g., “SomeFunction” and “AnotherFunction”). Process 50translates (202) the code to XML script that, when interpreted, performsthe functions and contains the SOAP commands. To perform thetranslation, process 50 may compile the code, interpret the functions inthe compiled code, and generate appropriate XML script from the compiledcode. An appropriate compiler may be included within instructions 46 forthis purpose. The format of the SOAP commands may be static and known tothe compiler, or the format may be determined dynamically from a WSDL(Web Services Description Language) document. WSDL is a standard fordescribing SOAP commands. WSDL is itself an XML document that can beinterpreted automatically. WSDL defines the set of functions availableand the format of each of the SOAP commands.

WSDL usually describes the functionality for a particular device or Webservice. By reading WSDL, a program can display functions to a user,then create SOAP command(s) for the function(s) selected by the user. Byway of example, there may be one thousand devices, all with individualsettings, and it is desired to set all of the devices to 6% lower powerusage. Using traditional SOAP commands, the server must be able toaddress each device, obtain each device's current setting, calculate 94%of its value, then write that new value back to each device, all throughissuing individual SOAP commands. Using a SOAP script, the same scriptcan be sent to all of the devices because the variable is evaluatedlocally at each device. As the population of monitored devices grows,this kind of distributed processing becomes more useful.

Continuing with the example set forth above, process 50 translates (202)the code into the following XML script: <Root> <Variables> <localtype=“integer”>8</local> <total type=“integer”>0</total> </Variables><Script> <While conditions=“total < 10”> <SOAP-ENV:Body> <SomeFunction><Count>total</Count> </SomeFunction> </SOAP-ENV:Body> <Returnvariable=“total”/> <SOAP-ENV:Body> <AnotherFunction><Input>local</Input> </AnotherFunction> </SOAP-ENV:Body> </While></Script> </Root>The XML script contains the same functions and SOAP commands as theoriginal C/C++ code input by the user. For example, the “While” loop isexpressed as<While condition=“total<10”> and </While>

and the SOAP commands are expressed as <SOAP-ENV:Body> <SomeFunction><Count>total</Count> </SomeFunction> </SOAP-ENV:Body> and<SOAP-ENV:Body> <AnotherFunction> <Input>local</Input></AnotherFunction> </SOAP-ENV:Body>The expression “<Return variable=“total”/>” returns the value of thevariable “total” to the XML script. Thus, the output of the SOAP commandmay be passed back to the XML script as an argument in the SOAP commandand used as a variable in the XML script. Also, the XML script may bewritten so that a variable, such as “total”, is passed as an argument toa SOAP command.

An example of XML script containing a conditional “IF” statement is setforth in Appendix A attached hereto. An example of XML script containingan exception handler is set forth in Appendix B attached hereto.

After the code has been translated (202) to XML script, process 50provides (203) the XML script to server 19 over network 15. Process 50may send the XML script to server 19 through a Web interface, along withidentification information that specifies the instance of device 11 forwhich the XML script is intended. Web server software 29 on server 19receives the XML script over network 15 and application logic 32 storesthe XML script in database 30, along with its associated identificationinformation.

Device-Initiated Retrieval Of The XML Script

Embedded controller 17 executes software 20 to retrieve the XML scriptintended for device 11 from remote server 19. In response, server 19executes software 34 to send the XML script to embedded controller 17.FIG. 3 shows these processes in detail. The left half of FIG. 3, titled“Embedded Controller” shows process 40 performed by embedded controller17, and the right half of FIG. 3, titled, “Server”, shows process 41performed by server 19.

Process 40 generates and sends (301) a command to server 19. Thecommand, or a modified version thereof, is sent by embedded controller17 to server 19 periodically. It is through this command that embeddedcontroller 17 polls server 19 to determine if there is any new/updatedXML script for device 11 on server 19.

The command includes XML data identifying device 11. The data identifiesthe specific instance of device 11 and may include a device type fieldand one or both of a device serial number field and a device UUID. Thecommand may also include a common name field, a manufacturer name field,a model name field, and a model number field, which specify theinformation set forth above for the device.

The command may be either an HTTP Get command or an HTTP post command.The data included in those commands is similar, with the differencebeing that the HTTP GET command retrieves a document, such as a filecontaining the XML script, and the HTTP POST command retrievesinformation, such as the XML script itself.

Process 41 (in server 19) receives (302) the HTTP command from embeddedcontroller 17. Process 41 identifies the command as either a POST or GETcommand based on a header, such as “POST/CONTROL HTTP/1.1” (for a POSTcommand), in the command. Process 41 uses an XML parser to parse (303)the various identifying fields, such as device type, serial number, andUUID, from the command.

Process 41 identifies (304) the instance of device 11 based on theinformation parsed from the command. That is, process 41 uses the devicetype, serial number, and UUID field information to identify the instanceof device 11.

If The Command Is A POST Command

The identification information from the command, in particular thedevice serial number and/or UUID, is used to search through database 30for XML script specific to device 11. Once the appropriate XML scripthas been identified (304), process 41 retrieves (305) that XML scriptfrom database 30 using application logic 32. Process 41 determines ifthe XML script has been updated since it was last retrieved. This may bedone by examining a revision number or date included in a headerassociated with the XML script. If the XML script has been updated,process 41 adds the updated XML script to the reply portion of POSTcommand and sends (306) the POST command, with the updated XML script,back to embedded controller 17.

If The Command Is A GET Command

As was the case above with the POST command, the identificationinformation from the command is used to search through database 30 forXML script for the specific instance of device 11. In particular, thedevice serial number and/or UUID are used to retrieve (305) aconfiguration file that is specific to device 11. The configuration filecontains the XML script for device 11. Process 41 sends (306) theconfiguration file to embedded controller 17.

Process 40 receives (307) the XML script containing one or more SOAPcommands from server 19 in response to the HTTP command. Process 40 (inparticular Web client application 21 in device 11) provides the XMLscript to XML interpreter 23, where the XML script is executed.

Referring to FIG. 4, a process 52 is shown for executing the XML scriptin embedded controller 17. Process 52 is implemented by executableinstructions in XML interpreter 23 and SOAP interpreter 26.

XML interpreter 23 interprets (401) the XML script to perform thefunctions contained therein. For example, if there are any conditionalstatements, control statements, or exception handlers defined by the XMLscript, XML interpreter performs those functions on the appropriatecommands and variables contained in the XML script.

During processing, XML interpreter 23 parses (402) the XML script toidentify any SOAP commands contained in the XML script. Identified SOAPcommands are passed to SOAP interpreter 26, which executes (403) theSOAP commands. Results of the SOAP commands may be passed back to theXML interpreter 23 for further processing. Likewise, variables may bepassed from the XML script to the SOAP commands.

Using XML script in this manner, embedded controller 17 is able toexecute multiple SOAP commands in response to a single device-initiatedquery. Thus, device 11 can perform reconfiguration operations or thelike using multiple soap commands without maintaining communication withan external device, such as server 19, during the reconfigurationprocess. The XML script can specify (future) times at which the SOAPcommands are to be executed, thus providing the device with furthercontrol over its own operation. SOAP interpreter 26 implements the SOAPstandard to interpret and execute function calls. As more devices andsoftware systems have support for SOAP, device 11 will be able toexecute a script that controls multiple devices by calling their SOAPservices.

Architecture

Processes 40, 41, 50 and 52 are not limited to use with thehardware/software configuration of FIG. 1; they may find applicabilityin any computing or processing environment. Processes 40, 41, 50 and 52may be implemented in hardware (e.g., an ASIC {Application-SpecificIntegrated Circuit} and/or an FPGA {Field Programmable Gate Array}),software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Processes 40, 41, 50 and 52 may be implemented using one or morecomputer programs executing on programmable computers that each includesa processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and one or more output devices.

Each such program may be implemented in a high level procedural orobject-oriented programming language to communicate with a computersystem. Also, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machinelanguage. The language may be a compiled or an interpreted language.

Each computer program may be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g.,CD-ROM, hard disk, or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a generalor special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operatingthe computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computerto perform processes 40, 41, 50 and 52.

Processes 40, 41, 50 and 52 may also be implemented as an article ofmanufacture, such as one or more machine-readable storage media (e.g.,compact or floppy disk), each configured with a computer program, where,upon execution, instructions in the computer program cause a machine(e.g., a computer) to operate in accordance with one or more ofprocesses 40, 41, 50 and 52.

The invention is not limited to use with the protocols and standardsdescribed above. For example, Web server may use Java Servlets, ASP(Active Server Pages), ISAPI (Internet Server Application ProgrammingInterface), or .NET interfaces to communicate with application logic 32.The HTTP commands sent by embedded controller 17 and/or server 19 arenot limited to HTTP GET and POST commands. Any commands and/or requestsfor requesting and receiving data may be used.

The invention is not limited to the protocols and architecture describedwith respect to FIG. 1. Similarly, the invention is not limited todevice-initiated transfers of the XML script. For example, computer 33may transmit the XML script directly to embedded controller 17 (ratherthan by way of server 19) via e-mail, file transfer protocol (FTP),message queues, or any other type of data transfer mechanism. Theseother transfer protocols may also be used with device-initiatedtransfers. Server 19 may generate the XML script and transmit itdirectly to controller 17. The XML script may be used on any machine,and is not limited to use with embedded controllers. RPCs other thanSOAP calls may be scripted using XML and the resulting XML script may beprocessed in the manner described herein. SOAP commands other than thosedescribed herein may be used. The processes described herein may beimplemented using circuitry such as programmable logic, logic gates, aprocessor, and/or a memory.

Other embodiments not specifically described herein are also within thescope of the following claims.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A computer-implemented method for generatingextensible make-up language (XML) script that contains a simple objectaccess protocol (SOAP) command, comprising: receiving code that definesa function and the SOAP command; and translating the code to XML scriptthat performs the function and controls the SOAP command.
 14. The methodof claim 13, further comprising providing the XML script to a device.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the device comprises a controllerthat executes the XML script.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thecode contains plural SOAP commands and functions, and the XML scriptcontains the plural SOAP commands and functions.
 17. The method of claim13, wherein; the XML script declares a variable; and a value of thevariable value is passed as an argument to the SOAP command in the XMLscript.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the function comprises aconditional statement.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theconditional statement comprises an If-Then statement or an If-Then-Elsestatement.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the function comprises acontrol statement that affects a sequence of execution of the XML scriptand/or the SOAP command.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the controlstatement comprises a loop.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein thefunction comprises an exception handler that that affects a sequence ofexecution of the XML script and/or the SOAP command when an errorcondition exists.
 23. The method of claim 13, wherein the functioncomprises a statement that controls a relative or absolute time toexecute the SOAP command. 24-35. (canceled)
 36. An article comprising amachine-readable medium that stores executable instructions to generateextensible markup language (XML) script that contains a simple objectaccess protocol (SOAP) command, the instructions causing a machine to:receive code that defines a function and the SOAP command; and translatethe code to XML script that performs the function and contains the SOAPcommand.
 37. The article of claim 36, further comprising instructionsthat cause the machine to provide the XML script to a device.
 38. Thearticle of claim 37, wherein the device comprises a controller thatexecutes the XML script.
 39. The article of claim 36, wherein the codecontains plural SOAP commands and functions, and the XML script containsthe plural SOAP commands and functions.
 40. The article of claim 36,wherein: the XML script declares a variable; and a value of the variableis passed as an argument to the SOAP command in the XML script.
 41. Thearticle of claim 36, wherein the function comprises a conditionalstatement.
 42. The article of claim 41, wherein the conditionalstatement comprises an If-Then statement or an IF-Then-Else statement.43. The article of claim 36, wherein the function comprises a controlstatement that affects a sequence of execution of the XML script and/orthe SOAP command.
 44. The article of claim 43, wherein the controlstatement comprises a loop.
 45. The article of claim 36, wherein thefunction comprises an exception handler that that affects a sequence ofexecution of the XML script and/or the SOAP command when an errorcondition exists.
 46. The article of claim 36, wherein the functioncomprises a statement that controls a relative or absolute time toexecute the SOAP command. 47-59. (canceled)
 60. An apparatus forgenerating extensible markup language (XML) script that contains asimple object access protocol (SOAP) command, the apparatus comprisingcircuitry to: receive code that defines a function and the SOAP command;and translate the code to XML script that performs the function andcontains the SOAP command.
 61. The apparatus of claim 60, furthercomprising circuitry to provide the XML script to a device.
 62. Theapparatus of claim 61, wherein the device comprises a controller thatexecutes the XML script.
 63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the codecontains plural SOAP commands and functions, and the XML script containsthe plural SOAP commands and functions.
 64. The apparatus of claim 60,wherein: the XML script declares a variable; and a value of the variablevalue is passed as an argument to the SOAP command in the XML script.65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the function comprises aconditional statement.
 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein theconditional statement comprises an If-Then statement or an If-Then-Elsestatement.
 67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the function comprisesa control statement that affects a sequence of execution of the XMLscript and/or the SOAP command.
 68. The apparatus of claim 67, whereinthe control statement comprises a loop.
 69. The apparatus of claim 60,wherein the function comprises an exception handler that that affects asequence of execution of the XML script and/or the SOAP command when anerror condition exists.
 70. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein thefunction comprises a statement that controls a relative or absolute timeto execute the SOAP command.
 71. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein thecircuitry comprises at least one of programmable logic, logic gates, aprocessor, and a memory.